British government plans to limit MPs' additional income from media work

The UK government plans to limit MPs' additional income from media work in a bid to reduce the risks of conflicts of interest and restore trust in parliament. The Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, is initiating discussions on new rules that will affect contracts with media companies, which can negatively affect MPs' reputations and create potential conflicts.

The UK government is considering an initiative to tighten the rules on MPs receiving additional income through contracts with media companies. The proposal aims to reduce the risks of conflicts of interest and restore trust in politicians.

This writes The Guardian.

It is noted that the leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell will initiate a discussion of the new rules at a meeting of the all-party standards committee on Tuesday. They will concern media contracts that could lead to a conflict of interest or damage the reputation of Parliament.

Among those who received significant amounts from working for the media are such well-known figures as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage. In particular, Rees-Mogg earned over £300,000 for his work as a presenter on the GB News channel, while Farage received £98,000 per month as a presenter on that channel, while simultaneously working as a «brand ambassador» for a gold mining company.

MP Lee Anderson declared £100,000 annual income for 8 hours a week for GB News.

«Trust in politics is at an all-time low. People see Parliament as distant and out of touch with their interests. We were elected on a promise to put politics back in the service of the public», — Lucy Powell said.

She added that the government respects the wishes of some MPs to retain professional qualifications, for example in medicine or law, but media contracts need to be reviewed.

«We will consider whether exclusive contracts with media companies create risks to the reputation of Parliament and potential conflicts of interest», — Lucy Powell stressed.

Previously, the government has already closed «loopholes» that allowed MPs to receive payment for advice on parliamentary work and public policy. However, media activity remained outside these restrictions.

«No one should monetize the privileges associated with the status of an MP. We must restore trust in Parliament as a body that serves the public, which people rightly expect and deserve», — said Lucy Powell.

It is expected that after discussion in committee, the proposal will be put to a vote in the House of Commons.